A29372:150
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by William Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by Willam Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.
London: printed for Nath. Crouch, 1668
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And who knows not that a man may suffer very much in a way of merit? It's recorded of one, that he invited a friend of his to dinner, that so he might show unto him his Hounds. And when he came, he showed unto him a company of poor people, and said unto him, These are my Hounds with which I do hunt for heaven. In a way of merit he speaks. And we see how it is with a Horse or a Cow in pasture that's eaten down; if ⟨p. 46⟩there be herbs or pleasant flowers growing in the ditch that's full of water, the Horse or Cow will reach, and reach many times so far, that it falls into the ditch. Truly there are many fine flowers grow in the suffering ditch, and many an unsound heart may reach so far, till it falls into the ditch. As it's possible that a man may tread a great deal of ground, and never come to his journeys end: so 'tis possible a man may tread a great deal of suffering ground, and never come to heaven; for there's a great deal of dross cleaving to our best sufferings.
And who knows not that a man may suffer very much in a way of merit? It's recorded of one, that he invited a friend of his to dinner, that so he might shew unto him his Hounds. And when he came, he shewed unto him a company of poor people, and said unto him, These are my Hounds with which I do hunt for heaven. In a way of merit he speaks. And we see how it is with a Horse or a Cow in pasture that's eaten down; if ⟨p. 46⟩there be herbs or pleasant flowers growing in the ditch that's full of water, the Horsa or Cow will reach, and reach many times so far, that it falls into the ditch. Truly there are many fine flowers grow in the suffering ditch, and many an unsound heart may reach so far, till it falls into the ditch. As it's possible that a man may tread a great deal of ground, and never come to his journeys end: so 'tis possible a man may tread a great deal of suffering ground, and never come to heaven; for there's a great deal of dross cleaving to our best sufferings.
In a suffering time, then we are apt to be very froward, and to be impatient, and to dwell more upon our own pleasures then upon Gods dishonour.